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What Is T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer which affects the blood and the bone marrow. This form of cancer can develop at any age, although it is most commonly found among children. Symptoms of are varied and may include weakness, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, or weight loss. Treatment usually involves the use of either chemotherapy or radiation therapy, although in more advances cases of this disease, these treatment options may be used in conjunction with one another.

The bone marrow is responsible for producing healthy white blood cells, designed to help the body fight infection. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, these white blood cells are abnormal and do not mature properly, making them ineffective at fighting infection. As these malignant cells continue to reproduce and spread, they crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to this potentially fatal form of blood cancer. The prognosis is much better when this disease is diagnosed in the early stages, although treatment is often successful in advanced stages as well.

A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia.
A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia.

The first noticeable symptoms of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia are often extreme fatigue and weakness. Routine blood tests may show a low red blood cell count, a condition known as anemia. Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss frequently occur when this disease is present. The lymph nodes, liver, or spleen are often swollen, leading doctors to consider the possibility of cancer. The patient may develop frequent infections throughout the body due to a lack of healthy white blood cells.

One sign of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a low red blood cell count.
One sign of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a low red blood cell count.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a rapidly-moving type of cancer, so treatment is typically started immediately after diagnosis. Chemotherapy is a standard type of treatment for this disease. This involves the use of specialized drugs which contain strong chemicals designed to destroy cancer cells and slow the progression of the disease. Chemotherapy may cause significant side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. Additional medications are often given during treatment to combat extreme cases of nausea and vomiting.

Swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Radiation therapy involves the use of high levels of energy to destroy cancer cells and is another commonly used form of treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Symptoms of radiation therapy are similar to those caused by chemotherapy treatment. In advanced cases of this form of cancer, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used at the same time, or one treatment method may be used first with the other being used following completion of the first type of treatment.

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

It seems like children are most prone to getting this kind of leukemia. I wonder why that is?

Huge purple bruises sent a three year old girl in our city to the doctor and she was diagnosed immediately, too. Her mother opted to take her to St. Jude, and has been happy with her decision.

Her doctors told her mother that they wanted her in remission in 28-30 days, for her to have the best chance of staying in remission and beating the leukemia. She had gorgeous long, blonde, curly hair, and lost it twice. She's growing it back now, and the doctors say it shouldn't fall out again. She is on week 40 of 120 weeks of treatment. Long, long road. We pray for her and her family.

Scrbblchick

A little boy in our community was diagnosed with T-cell ALL, as they call it. He had not been feeling poorly. He just had some bruising, but being a seven year old boy, his parents figured he just had been tussling with his brothers. He was diagnosed on his first day of second grade, when his grandmother saw he had huge lumps on the sides of his neck. They were enlarged lymph nodes.

His parents took him to the doctor immediately, and the doctor sent him straight to the children's hospital, and he started treatments that night. He missed his whole second grade year, but has started third grade, is in remission, and is doing very well. His doctors say his prognosis is excellent.

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    • A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia.
      By: Alila
      A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia.
    • One sign of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a low red blood cell count.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      One sign of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a low red blood cell count.
    • Swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
      By: JackF
      Swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
    • Individuals who have disorders that affect the number or function of red blood cells may experience fatigue.
      By: bst2012
      Individuals who have disorders that affect the number or function of red blood cells may experience fatigue.
    • T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most commonly found in children.
      By: Frantab
      T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most commonly found in children.